December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. This can be the busiest time of the year with more festivities, more traffic, more late nights. It’s the perfect time to pause and remind ourselves of the necessity of sober driving for ourselves and our teens.
In a county that has some of the highest rates of excessive drinking among both adults and youth, it is no surprise that the rates of impaired driving follow suit – especially during the holidays. Now is an ideal time to model responsible drinking and talk about the risks of driving after consuming alcohol or drugs. Each of us can do our part to avoid preventable traffic accidents and keep our roads safe.
Impaired driving is a local issue. The most common misdemeanor filed at the Marin District Attorney’s Office in 2021 was DUIs (827), an increase from 2020 (778). Based on the most recent County Health Rankings, over 1 in 4 driving deaths in Marin involved alcohol. And about one in four teen car crashes involves an underage drinking driver.
Being clear and consistent about the high-risk conditions of driving under the influence this holiday season is a gift that will keep giving.
Model sober driving. As parents, if we are out to dinner or a gathering with family or friends where alcohol is served, we can make a point to have the driver stick to non-alcoholic beverages. This shows our kids that we can do what we are asking them to do. Or, if drinking, use a car service like Uber.
Make a plan. Know where your teen is going and with whom. Give youth permission to call for a ride if they are in a situation where an adult or peer has been drinking and they need to get home safely. It can be uncomfortable, so designate a code word your child can use if they need an excuse for you to pick them up.
It’s not just alcohol. Drugged driving is a growing problem. THC products, some prescription and over-the-counter medication, and illicit drugs contribute to impaired driving and fatalities.
Know the consequences. Remind your teens that it’s unlawful for anyone under 21 years old to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.01% or higher. They could face an automatic license suspension if they are caught driving under the influence and approximately $10K in legal and insurance fees.
Parents can curb teen drinking and driving. A recent Yale study highlights how parental attitudes can keep their kids safe beyond high school. The study found if teens in 12th grade knew that parents disapproved of drinking, it decreased the odds of their driving while impaired by 30% four years later, and of riding with an impaired driver by 20% one year later.
Commit to prevent teens from driving impaired. Join other Be the Influence parents in agreeing to make your best effort to prevent any teen who appears to be under the influence from driving.
Make this the year that Marin gives the gift of sober driving and keep our roads safe for everyone.
Read the Youth Perspective: Redwood Bark, Hit the brakes: A look into intoxicated driving in Marin, December 2021